A SCULPTURE of a miner stolen from the site of a former colliery has been found abandoned outside an old lead mine.

In last week’s Chronicle, Flintshire coastal ranger Mike Taylor appealed for information on the whereabouts of Bettisfield Bob, a wooden sculpture which was taken from the former Bettisfield Colliery site in Bagillt.

And on Monday, two weeks after it was taken, dog walker Terry Boyes came across the statue while walking on Halkyn Mountain.

Terry, from Mold, said: “I knew the statue was missing because I walk my dog in Bagillt.

“I saw it at the top of the mountain and I rang the countryside ranger straight away.

“I’m pleased they’ve got him back, there are a lot of features along the coastal path and it’s a shame for someone to take them.”

Bob’s sculptor Mike Owens has promised to give Terry a piece of artwork as a reward for finding the statue.

Mr Taylor said: “It is wonderful news. We’re made up Bob’s back. He was left outside an old lead mine – it seems like he just wanted a change from mining coal!”

He said the statue was in good condition, apart from a couple of ‘grazes’.

Mr Taylor added: “I think someone probably took him to put in their own garden but because there was so much publicity about the theft and the police and community were so keen to get him back whoever stole him realised he would have been spotted, so they dumped him.

“Now we’re going to give him a rest and hopefully put him back in the next week or so – with a tonne of concrete fastened to his feet!”